MARISTS CARRY THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 231, 30 September 1929, Page 12

MARISTS CARRY THE DAY

PONIES GO DOWN FIGHTING, REWARD OF FITNESS. WIN FOR BETTER SIDE. Scintillating football thrilled 9000 spectators who packed the stand and dotted the terrace at Carlaw Park on Saturday, when Marists defended their last season's title of champions of champions by again defeating Ponsonby by tho comfortable margin of 28 points to 14. It was a fitting finale to the club competitions, the game being one of the best of a vintage season—fast and open with the issue in doubt till within a few minutes of the death. The better side won, and Tykes deserve to have treasury of the Stormont Shield, the trophy for .the highest honour of the code. Lack of penetration by the inside backs was western suburbs , greatest weakness. Skipper Delgrosso, nursing an injured knee that subsequently put him out of action, was incapable of making his characteristic devastating thrusts, while Skelton, though he scored one of the prettiest tries of the day, was upset in possession more often than he got tho ball away. Then the blues' plucky little half, Melntyrc, laboured under the handicap of an injured ankle for a big percentage of the game—an injury that necessitated medical attention after the match. The three-quarters, indeed, were the only ones who functioned with their old-time precision. They Ponies Best On Paper. Bodily fitness stood Marists in good < lead. A team that makes a study of crood training they proved that they are tho fittest team in the. and, outlasted and outpaced the opposition. On paper, Ponsonby looked the stronger of the two teams. The hopes of Marvjt supporters dropped to dismal depths when the sides lined up to exchange compliments, and it was noticed that the greens' most brilliant back, Brisbane, had not elected to play on account or. tin injury, and that Moisley and Graham, two of the best forwards, were also fections. Against this Ponsonby had ' their best team out, with the exception of J. Skelton, whose place was filled by a hefty type of forward in Lunn. Reorganisation was necessary in the greens ranks, and it was reorganisation that proved both judicious and successful, McDonald, who has not hitherto been impressive on the wing, was brought in to second five-eighths, and played a rattling good game. Indeed, he was one of the best backs on the ground, running straight as a dart, being alert to grasp opportunities, and tackling like a, demon. He made a few mistakes, but his superb exhibition of all-round play more than counter-balanced them. The gaps in tho forwards were filled by Johnston, who has not had the green jersey on for some considerable time, and Fleet, a Rugby convert from the Ponsonby Club arid both men .more than justified their inclusion. Johnston was always in the thick of the hard stuff, and not only scored, but was in other movements that culminated in tries. Fleet showed promise. To say the least, Mar Wβ looked a beaten team before they started, but thev played on the crest of a wave ot success "that set in half-way through the initial spell, and carried all before them to the interval when the scores stood at 8 to f>. In the second spell, despite the loss of Delgrosso, the brains of the attack, Ponsonby marshalled their forces to come within six points of the gveens rapidly mounting tally, and they looked liko going on to win. The defence was as solid as a rock, however, and allied to this Mai'ieta were combining sweetly on the move, their forwards always being up with the play to lend a hand and advance thrusts engineered from the. base of the scrum. Again and again attacks by suburbs jell short because of tackling that was deadly and heart-breaking.

The Weak Link. Cohesion on tlio part of the blues was not entirely spoilt on the retirement of their captain, liut it left a weak link— tho last lino of defence filled by Moore, who left the pack. To him the ball was kicked repeatedly by the opposition, and Gregory in particular, who is a Senilis at 'sighting loopholes in the defence. Rarely did it happen that Moore was in position. This harassed Ponies sorely, and prevented the scoring machine from concentrating on their particular jobs. Throughout the game the scores sea-sawed, but Tykes, once their noses were in front, played with confidence that was not apparent at tho outset, being particulorly tenacious in the forwards. All the green backs, with the exception of Sweeney, played splendidly. Hassan worked like a Trojan behind the pack, and frequently broke through the cordon of defenders with tricky gallops. Gregory proved himself the best back oU tho ground for his solidarity on defence and ability to size up weaknesses in the opposition ranks. Ho took a power of pulling down, and when rushed off his feet usually came up smiling still in possession. It was he who held tho side together in the face- of adversity. McDonald, at second five-eighths, was at home at last, while Brady repeated his performance of the previous week by giving another splendid exhibition. He was responsible for paving the way for several tries, and got a.way time and again. Batchelor was in form with a vengeance on the right wing, and was always in the picture for his strongrunning. Three tries came his way, one after a dash of sixty yards. N. Campbell again played safely at full-back, kicking with judgment and • fielding cleverly. Johnston, O'Brien, Duane, and bell were the choice of the green forwards, while for the vanquished Gardiner, Payne and Stevens were most prominent. Fagan was conspicuous for fast following up, but offset a good exhibition by foolish' offside play. JUNIOR RESULTS. S.ECOND GRADE. Ponsonby won from Newton by flofault.. '. THIRD GRADE INTERMEDIATE. . Kewrnarfcet 10, beat Shore 6. SIXTH GRADE. FINAL. Richmond 16, beat Northcote 2. PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Otahuhu 7 t beat Newton 0. Newmarket 21, beat Richmond 0. GAMES IN THE PROVINCE. HAMILTON. Ngaruawnliia 24, beat Hamilton 17. OTAGO BEATS CANTERBURY. DUNED.IN, Saturday. Otago beat Canterbury at League foot' ball on the Caiectanlon ground to-day by 2-1 points to 15. The weather was glorious, tho attendance being between 2000 and 3000. , Ot.igo juniors beat Canterbury juniors ' by 10 points to 9.